Parishioners of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church left Monday’s Amherstburg council with the decision they were hoping for – councillors withdrew their intent to designate the church’s rectory allowing the building to finally be demolished.

In a split vote — with councillors Diane Pouget and Bart DiPasquale and deputy mayor Ron Sutherland opposing — council approved a motion by Coun. John Sutton to reconsider their previous decision.

Sutton called it the “common sense solution” and said it was obvious the parish has made a commitment to preserve the church itself, which was designated previously at the request of the parish.

He called the rectory “a disaster waiting to happen.”

The diocese of London had requested a demolition permit in December, supported by 340 parish families, according to spokesman Ron Burns, St. Joseph’s building and grounds chairman.

St. Joseph Church representatives Domenico Aversa, from left, Margaret Corio, Erin King and Ron Burns address Amherstburg council on March 17, 2014, in front of a large crowd gathered in chambers. The group requested council reconsider its decision to deny a demolition permit for the church’s rectory. Council reconsidered and voted to allow the demolition. ( Julie Kotsis/The Windsor Star)

But the town’s heritage committee recommended council deny the demolition and include the rectory, with its “cultural and exterior architectural attributes,” under a historical designation.

Coun. Carolyn Davies, who sits on the town’s heritage committee, said she was voting for the reconsideration because she didn’t see the people who supported saving the 100-year-old rectory coming forward with a plan for it or with ways to raise money to preserve it.

“I really see that the people of the parish don’t have the will to maintain (the rectory),” Davies said.

A large crowd of people attended council for the third consecutive meeting to show their support for the demolition.

Coun. Diane Pouget asked that Marc Pillon, who was next on the agenda as a delegation, be allowed to speak to the issue before a vote was taken but Mayor Wayne Hurst denied the request saying he wanted to “move (the issue) forward and dealing with it.”

After the vote, Hurst said, “I think we have given this issue a full hearing … (our decision) is in the best interest of our community.”

Pillon told councillors they are bound by the Heritage Act and that means they have to follow the process to de-designate, which includes a minimum 30-day notice period prior to de-designation so that any objections can be heard by the Ontario Municipal Board.

Pillon said council cannot simply vote to reconsider the motion made on Feb. 18 to designate the 100-year-old building adjacent to St. Joseph Church.

He also had harsh words for Hurst, pointing out that a vote to reconsider a previous council motion requires two-thirds support according to the town’s bylaws but that the mayor “decides to do whatever he wants.

“Why do we have procedural bylaws … if you’re not required to follow them,” Pillon said. “Every resident in Amherstburg should be outraged at how council has handled this.”

Lively discourse is the lifeblood of any healthy democracy and The Star encourages readers to engage in robust debates about our stories. But, please, avoid personal attacks and keep your comments respectful and relevant. If you encounter abusive comments, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. The Star is Using Facebook Comments. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

The Jesus flag is not welcome at city hall. Councillors agreed Monday night with a report from city administration to deny a request to fly a flag in support of the annual March for Jesus scheduled for Aug. 22.